Aloe Vera Benefits for Face & Skin: Acne, Dry Skin, Wrinkles and More

The wonders of the aloe vera plant are not a secret anymore!

Called the ‘plant of immortality’ by the Egyptians, this incredible succulent is loaded with vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants that can benefit your skin in numerous ways.

It is rich in vitamins A, B12, C and E and minerals including magnesium, zinc, sodium, copper, and potassium.

The clear viscous gel derived from the aloe vera leaf also contains two hormones – auxin and gibberellins – that are anti-inflammatory and can help wounds heal.

The enzymes present in the gel help seal moisture into your skin and also form an antibacterial coating to protect it against infection. The gel’s antipruritic properties can bring immense relief from itching associated with chronic skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema.

In addition, aloe vera is believed to bolster collagen production by stimulating the fibroblast cells in your skin.

Although aloe vera gel is being exploited by commercial giants selling cosmetic and health products, they are not 100% pure. Most of them also contain synthetic preservatives and artificial coloring that are not good for the skin.

Beauty Benefits of Aloe Vera for Face and Skin

If you wish to discover the benefits of aloe vera for face and skin, read on to learn how to use aloe vera gel to treat various skin troubles and enhance your beauty.

Also, if you want to use your own fresh gel, you can learn how to extract aloe vera gel from the plant.

Method 1: Scars, Acne & Acne Scars

Acne is a persistent skin malady faced by many. Not only is acne unsightly, it can leave behind deep scars that can be difficult to get rid of.

In fact, any scar from an injury or wound can stay on your skin for years, and at times cause immense psychological pain.

Aloe vera gel can boost the formation of new skin cells and stimulate collagen production to help heal and rejuvenate your skin.

To utilize the benefits of aloe vera gel to the fullest and reduce scars, you will need to blend it with honey and lemon juice.

While lemon juice works as a bleaching agent to fade the scar, the honey kills any infection in the acne and forms an antibacterial layer on the skin. It also deeply moisturizes the scar for faster recovery.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (anti-inflammatory) – 2 tablespoons
• Lemon juice (bleaching agent) – 2 tablespoons
• Organic honey (antibacterial) – 2 tablespoons
  

Step 1. Combine the three ingredients

• Pour 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel into a bowl.
• Add 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice to it.
• Add 2 tablespoons of raw honey.

Step 2. Whisk well & apply the blend up to 3 times daily on your acne or scars

• Use a blender to mix the ingredients well.
• Soak a cotton ball in the solution and apply it to your acne.
• Leave it on for 10 minutes.
• Massage for 1 to 2 minutes, then rinse it off with clear water.

Apply this blend 2 or 3 times every day to lighten discoloration. 

Method 2: Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation, or dark spots on the skin, can be due to acne, damage from ultraviolet (UV) sun rays, a hormonal imbalance, an allergy, stress and more.

Aloe vera gel can replenish the damaged skin with essential nutrients and form a protective layer over it. Adding honey helps keep the skin moisturized for faster recovery.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (anti-inflammatory) – 2 tablespoons
• Honey (moisturizes skin) – ½ tablespoon

Step 1. Combine honey and aloe vera gel

• Pour 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel into a bowl.
• Add ½ tablespoon of honey to it.

Step 2. Blend well & apply it daily on the dark spots

• Mix the two ingredients using a blender.
• Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes.
• Soak a cotton ball in the solution and swab it over your affected skin.
• Leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse it off with lukewarm water.

Apply once daily for 3 to 4 weeks to treat your hyperpigmented skin. 

Method 3: Sunburn

As much as we love basking in the sun, staying out for too long can leave you with a painful sunburn.

Aloe vera gel can be applied directly to the skin for its hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties. The gel leaves a cooling sensation on the skin that quickly soothes the irritation and reduces the redness.

Single-Step Treatment: Rub aloe vera gel to the sunburned skin several times daily

• Slice the edges off a small piece of an aloe vera leaf and make a slit in the middle to expose the inner clear gel.
• Rub the inside of the leaf on your sunburned skin.
• Let the gel dry completely, then rinse the area with cool water.

Repeat this remedy 3 or 4 times daily for a few days until your skin recovers from sunburn.

Method 4: Dry, Rough & Itchy Skin

Whether the dryness is due to a skin condition or harsh weather, aloe vera can successfully treat itchy, rough or dry skin.

The essential vitamins and minerals in the gel will help replenish your skin to make it supple.

This remedy also uses coconut and vitamin E oils. Both the oils deeply moisturize the skin and also form an antibacterial and antifungal layer over it. The lavender essential oil further soothes the skin.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (hydrates skin) – 2 tablespoons
• Coconut oil (moisturizes skin) – 2 tablespoons
• Vitamin E oil (moisturizes skin) – ½ teaspoon
• Lavender essential oil (soothes skin) – 3 drops
  

Step 1. Combine the four ingredients

• Put 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel in a bowl.
• Add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil to it.
• Squirt in 3 drops of lavender essential oil.
• Puncture and collect the contents of vitamin E capsules until you have ½ a teaspoon of the oil. Add it to the mix.

Step 2. Blend everything together & apply it twice daily on the affected skin

• Use a hand blender to whip up the ingredients.
• Massage the blend into your dry and itchy skin.
• Leave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
• Pat your skin dry and apply a moisturizer.

Apply this blend twice daily to get rid of the dryness and irritation. You can store the remaining blend in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. 

Method 5: Age Spots, Blemishes & Dark Spots

As you grow older, your skin tends to develop age spots, also known as liver spots. These flat brown or black spots are more common in people with fair skin who spend too much time out in the sun.

Your aging skin can also develop dark spots or blemishes due to acne, uneven skin tone or other skin troubles.

An easy solution for any type of spots or blemishes is a mix of aloe vera gel and lemon juice. While aloe vera works as an anti-inflammatory to heal the skin, the lemon juice helps lighten the spots.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (anti-inflammatory) – 1 tablespoon
• Lemon juice (lightens spots) – 20 drops

Single-Step Treatment: Mix lemon juice in aloe vera gel & apply it on the spots daily

• Mix 20 drops of fresh lemon juice into 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel.
• Use a cotton ball to lightly dab the blend on your dark spots and blemishes.
• Leave it on overnight.
• The next morning, rinse it off with plain water and apply a moisturizer. If you’re going outside, don’t forget to apply a sunscreen.
  

Use it once daily for a couple of months to get rid of age spots and blemishes. 

Method 6: Thicker & Longer Eyelashes

Having thick eyelashes is a blessing, as they add more definition to your peepers. However, if you have a scanty growth, don’t worry.

Applying a blend of aloe vera gel and castor oil can work miraculously in giving you thicker and fuller lashes.

The nutrients in aloe vera gel help nourish the hair follicles to promote growth. The castor oil provides essential fatty acids to thicken the lash hair. It also cleanses the clogged follicles to boost new hair growth. 

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (nourishes hair follicles) – 1 tablespoon
• Castor oil (thickens lashes, unclogs hair follicles) – 1 tablespoon

Single-Step Treatment: Mix aloe vera gel with castor oil & apply it on your eyelashes twice daily

• Mix together 1 tablespoon each of fresh aloe vera gel and castor oil using a blender. Opt for unprocessed, hexane-free castor oil for maximum benefits.
• Use a clean mascara brush to apply the blend on your eyelashes.
• Leave it on for 15 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.

Apply twice daily to get thicker and longer lashes in 1 month. 

Method 7: Crow’s Feet & Wrinkles

Fine lines and wrinkles are inevitable with advancing age. You may also develop crow’s feet or laugh lines over time. You can use the benefits of aloe vera to prevent further aging of the skin.

This remedy uses aloe vera gel along with vitamin E oil. Both are rich in antioxidants that fight the free-radical damage responsible for the aging of your skin.

The aloe vera gel also provides the necessary vitamins and minerals to make your skin more supple, while the vitamin E oil deeply moisturizes the skin. 

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (antioxidants, hydrates skin) – 1 teaspoon
• Vitamin E oil (deeply moisturizes skin) – 1 capsule

Single-Step Method: Combine vitamin E oil and aloe vera gel and apply

• Pour 1 teaspoon of freshly extracted aloe vera gel into a bowl.
• Puncture and squeeze the oil from 1 vitamin E capsule into the gel.
• Mix the two liquids thoroughly.
• Massage the blend on your wrinkled skin for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Leave it on for 2 to 3 hours. Alternatively, apply the blend at bedtime and leave it on overnight.
• Rinse your face and apply a moisturizer.

Do this once every day for a couple of months to improve the elasticity of your skin and reduce the fine lines. 

Method 8: Oily Skin

No matter how much makeup you use, if you have oily skin, nothing can stop you from gleaming unnecessarily.

Aloe vera can be a blessing for people with an oily skin texture. It helps keep your skin hydrated without blocking the pores. Plus, the zinc found in aloe vera helps shrink the pores to reduce sebum production.

Since oily skin also makes you prone to acne, combining aloe vera with cucumber juice can reduce skin inflammation and protect it from breakouts.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (reduces sebum) – 4 tablespoons
• Cucumber juice (soothes skin) – 2 tablespoons
  

Single-Step Method: Mix cucumber juice and aloe vera gel and apply

• Pour 4 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel into a container.
• Add 2 tablespoons of fresh cucumber juice to it.
• Mix the two well.
• Use a cotton ball to apply the blend all over your face.
• Leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse it off with plain water.
• Apply a light moisturizer.

Repeat once daily for a few weeks to control your oily skin.

Method 9: Smooth, Clear & Glowing Skin

Even if you are blessed with blemish-free skin, it is still important to provide your skin regular TLC to keep it glowing.

A blend of aloe vera gel with sandalwood powder and milk can leave your skin smooth and glowing.

The aloe vera gel hydrates the skin, while the milk works as a natural cleanser. The sandalwood powder helps keep skin troubles at bay.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (hydrates skin) – 1 tablespoon
• Sandalwood powder (prevents skin infections) – 1 tablespoon
• Whole milk (natural skin cleanser) – 2 tablespoons
  

Step 1. Combine the three ingredients

• Pour 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel in a container.
• Add 1 tablespoon of sandalwood powder to it.
• Add 2 tablespoons of whole milk as well.
  

Step 2. Whisk thoroughly & apply it as a face pack weekly

• Use a blender to mix together the ingredients.
• Apply an even layer of this blend on your entire face, except the eye area.
• Leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water.
• Finish by applying a moisturizer.

Use this mask once or twice weekly to maintain smooth and glowing skin. 

Method 10: Skin Whitening & Lightening

Want a fairer skin tone? Try using this aloe vera face mask recipe. It uses a combination of aloe vera, milk and honey.

The aloe vera helps make the skin more supple, thus improving the skin tone. The honey helps moisturize and protect the skin from infections. The lactic acid in the milk helps brighten the skin tone.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (improves skin tone) – 1 tablespoon
• Honey (moisturizes skin) – ½ tablespoon
• Whole milk (brightens complexion) – 1 tablespoon
  

Step 1. Combine the three ingredients

• Pour 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel in a bowl.
• Add 1 tablespoon of whole milk.
• Add ½ tablespoon of honey.
  

Step 2. Whisk well & apply the blend on your face daily

• Use a hand blender to mix everything well.
• Using a cotton ball, apply the blend on your entire face. Preferably, do this at bedtime.
• Leave it on for 6 to 8 hours or overnight.
• Rinse your face with warm water and apply a moisturizer.

Apply this face mask on a daily basis to get brighter skin. 

Method 11: Skin Tightening

Aloe vera can be combined with egg whites to achieve tighter skin. The enzymes found in aloe vera help stimulate the production of collagen in your skin to give it a firm look.

The egg whites can temporarily tighten the skin.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (boosts collagen) – 1 tablespoon
• Egg whites (shrinks pores) – 1 egg
  

Single-Step Treatment: Mix aloe vera gel and egg whites & apply the mask weekly

• Mix together 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel and the whites from 1 egg using a motorized blender.
• Use a clean applicator brush to apply an even layer of the blend all over your face, except the eye area.
• Leave it on for 15 minutes.
• Use a damp cotton to wipe it off in an upward direction. This small hack will help prevent skin sagging.
• Apply a light moisturizer.

Use this mask once or twice weekly. 

Method 12: Large Skin Pores

Aloe vera is also suitable for shrinking large pores. The zinc found in aloe vera gel gives it astringent properties.

Combine aloe vera with fuller’s earth to form a clay mask for large pores. The clay absorbs the toxins embedded in the pores, your skin will remain clear with regular use.

Things you’ll need:

• Aloe vera gel (acts as astringent) – 1 tablespoon
• Fuller’s earth (absorbs toxins) – 2 tablespoons

Single-Step Treatment: Mix aloe vera gel and fuller’s earth & apply the mask twice weekly

• Mix together 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel and 2 tablespoons of fuller’s earth to form a thick paste.
• Apply an even layer of the paste on your face.
• Allow it to dry completely, then rinse it off with cool water.
• Pat your skin dry and apply a light moisturizer.

Use this mask twice every week.

Additional Tips

• Even though there are many aloe vera gels available in the market, it’s best to use fresh gel extracted straight from the plant.
• When extracting gel from a homegrown plant, place the cut leaf upright in a glass in a tilted position for 10 minutes. This will allow the dark resin sap to drain from the leaf. The resin contains latex that can irritate the skin and be harmful if ingested.
• Aloe vera gel or aloe vera-based blends can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• Although aloe vera gel is safe to use topically, do a patch test to check for any adverse reaction.